Case Series: Cemiplimab and Nivolumab Immunotherapy as Promising Treatment in Advanced or Metastatic Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is the second most common skin cancer. Surgery is usually curative; however, some locally advanced or metastatic CSCC may be unresectable. Current novel therapeutic options with immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) of programmed-death receptor 1 (PD-1) such as cemiplimab and nivolumab have demonstrated promising and sustained results with good tolerability in patients with CSCC. This study looks at 2 cases of CSCC treated with cemiplimab and nivolumab, respectively, demonstrating dramatic response within 2 cycles with significant reduction in tumour size and minimal toxicities or adverse outcomes reported. Immunotherapy has shown positive results as an effective treatment option for unresectable, recurrent, or metastatic CSCC. It is currently approved for use in the USA and Europe.

Keywords

• cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
• cutaneous oncology
• dermatology
• metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
• immune checkpoint inhibitors
• immunotoxicities
• immunotherapy